20 Feb Sharper Review

SHARPER

dir. Benjamin Caron, starring Julianne More, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, Briana Middleton, and John Lithgow

Ambition, greed, lust, and jealously take center stage as a group of ruthless strivers compete for riches and power in Sharper, a neo-thriller set in the bedrooms, barrooms, and boardrooms of New York City. Everyone is out for themselves and no one is exactly who they seem as a bookstore owner, a PhD. candidate, a business magnate, an elegant socialite, and her ne’er-do-well son collide in a high stakes game that will keep audiences guessing until the very last secret is revealed.

Sharper is a fun, face paced film that captures the sprit of psychological thrillers reminiscent of the 1990s. Multiple storylines intersecting and intertwined, the story is one of power, control, and money. The underlying theme that crime only begats more crime (and no shifty deed goes unpunished) may be a heavy handed one, but effective nonetheless. The four major players help and hinder one another in an unending cycle of backstabs and betrayals. Written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, the major flaw of these characters is the greed and lust for more that defines them. Outside of the first character we meet, Tom, there’s nothing but a vapidity to them, wanting only money and vengeance for money lost. The emptiness and lack of depth of these characters is masked with impressive directing from Benjamin Caron, creating a polished if somewhat sterile looking film that may entice the audience into being lured into the story.

Starring a cast of characters that interweave throughout multiple vignettes, the crew of Sharper all compliment each other to create a fine ensemble. Leading the cast is Julianne Moore as Madeline, one of the film’s multiple con artists who’s crafting herself a comfortable life with a billionaire. Moore is good in the role, hamstrung by a lack of development for Madeline. At her core, Madeline’s only concern is wealth and the accrual of it. This leads to a one dimensional person who’s quest for one thing leaves the role scant of challenge for the veteran actress. Moore’s performance helps to elevate what little there is off the page, however, and her interactions with Sebastian Stan make for some good scenes.

For his part, Stan is delightful as Max, also a con man but one of a different flavor. Stan plays Max with the smooth sophistication of a man confident and fully in charge at all times. When first presented to the audience, Max’s character appears to suffer to the same issues as Madeline: a drive for money is all that seems to propel him. As the film progresses, however, Max’s motivations take on a different shape, revealing him to be a man fueled by something else. Stan is great in the role, the most energetic and explosive character, and makes for a great screen presence.

Justice Smith and Briana Middleton’s characters kickstart the movie as Tom and Sandy respectively. The two work excellently together, and have a chemistry that crackles from the very beginning. As a romantic couple, Tom and Sandy opening scenes make for what could’ve been a sweet romantic drama film about two 20-somethings in New York City finding love. Instead, what the audience is given is the first of many bait and switches, taking the story elsewhere and leaving the characters the worse for it. Smith plays Tom with a romantic charm, tinged with a sad vulnerability that makes him immediately likeable. Middleton’s Sandy, the character worse for the wear, has her own charms and Middleton’s portrayal of the character reflects that. At times desperate, and at others incredibly cunning, Sandy has the roughest journey of the film and Middleton reflects those highs and lows well.

Directed by Benjamin Caron in his feature film debut, Sharper makes the case the he has the chops to stick around for a while. With help from the stellar production design and cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen (Molly’s Game, A Quiet Place), Caron’s movie feels slick and stylish in a way only these types of thrillers can. The pacing is excellent as well; at just a hair under two hours, Caron and screenwriters Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka ensure that there’s rarely a dull moment. As mentioned above, while some of these characters fall short of any real development, the situations they find themselves in lead to interesting decisions and scenarios that will keep audiences watching.

Overall, Sharper is a good psychological thriller that will keep the audience invested and engaged throughout. The interweaving stories dovetail into a third act that doesn’t fully hold up, but nonetheless the twists and reveals make for a mostly satisfying conclusion. Films about multilayered con jobs and confidence scams can oftentimes come off as convoluted, but Sharper keeps its focus on its small core of central cast, maintaining a clear narrative that’s simple to follow. Benjamin Caron’s direction, solid performances from everyone (especially Briana Middleton), and great production design make for a fun weeknight movie that viewers can enjoy after a day’s work. Sharper is currently streaming on Apple+.

Review by Darryl Mansel